Tensions have heightened over the operations of a north Co Tipperary company which uses worms to convert waste into compost, after gardaí were called to deal with incidents on Tuesday.
People living in the village of Rathcabbin are angry over the operations of Shannon Vermi-Composting Ltd, complaining of foul odours emanating from the company, situated two miles from the village.
Gardaí in Birr, Co Offaly, have confirmed they are investigating a report of a minor altercation involving people outside the Catholic church in Rathcabbin.
Sgt Aidan Farrelly confirmed that an investigation was taking place, and statements would be taken in relation to the matter.
He said gardaí had received a report at 10 p.m. on Tuesday that employees of the company were allegedly erecting signs over protest signs already put up by people in the community.
He confirmed that the incidents were related to tensions in the community over the operations of Shannon Vermi-Composting Ltd.
Rathcabbin resident Mr William Lambe said up to 50 locals gathered in the village at the height of the dispute on Tuesday night.
He said gardaí were called when villagers spotted three employees of the company allegedly erecting promotional signs over protest signs already put up by the Rathcabbin Environment Action Group.
Company manager Mr Peter Ogg said members of his staff had been surrounded and detained by a group of people wielding hurleys and baseball bats. They were chanting at his foreign workers to get out of the country.
He said he had photographs of the scene, which were being passed to the Garda.
Mr Ogg said his workers were engaged in putting up promotional signs for the company, and denied these were being put over the signs erected by objectors.
Mr Michael Quirke, a member of the action group, denied that hurleys or baseball bats were produced, and said nobody was chanting.
He insisted the company's employees were putting up signs over signs put up by the environment group.
He confirmed that cars owned by locals were parked around a car occupied by three of the company's employees. This was done while locals waited for gardaí to come out from Birr to deal with the matter.
"But in no way were they threatened. No way would I be associated with a campaign that is racist."
Mr Quirke said that 40 individual objections and one signed by 500 people from the community were lodged with North Tipperary County Council this week against plans by the company to retain structures and carry out further development on its site at Coolross. Last week the council failed in the Circuit Court to secure a temporary injunction limiting the company's operations.
The council wanted no more waste brought to the site until it complied with planning permission. Judge Olive Buttimer ruled against the council after hearing there would be no food left for the company's worm stock in three weeks if waste could not be brought to the site.